EXPERIENCE FROM USING SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY SOFTWARE IN THE ASSESSMENT AND SPEECH EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

The aim and objectives:
The main aim of the contribution is to analyse speech (oral) motor abilities of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with a technology help of special speech and language therapy software programme. The relations to dyspraxia problems in children with ASD children are mentioned, and the developmental and early educational connections the development of speech, and early speech vocalisation, and complex motor difficulties.

Methodology:
We mapped the oral motor abilities of children with ASD in the initial and final stages of the examination of special unit of the software programme FONO 2, which is a multimedia programme intended for individuals with impaired communication ability and formed of 5 basic partial domains. For the observation of the achievement of the child we used observational numerical scale evaluation. Then we compared the difference between the stages within the longitudinal observation that was implemented from March to June 2014.

Conclusions:
We can state, that it is possible to achieve positive results through systematic speech and language technology-based therapy intervention focused on the development of mobility in the oral-motor area in children with ASD. The positive changes were recorded in 4.11 % of the activities. We are discussing the possible exploitation of such positive results in assessment and speech and language therapy intervention.